Erynguim plant named ‘LEGMAVI’

ABSTRACT

‘LEGMAVI’ is a new and distinctive variety of  Eryngium alpinum  plant which is characterized by precocious, first-year flowering, continuous flowering throughout the growing season, inflorescences with prominent violet-blue involucres subtending each of the dark blue capitular umbel. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and tissue culture and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Eryngium alpinum.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Eryngium hybrid disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘LEGMAVI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘LEGMAVI’ is a seedling selection resulting from the openpollination of a cultivated population of unnamed Eryngium alpinumplants (unpatented). The exact parentage is unknown. In the summer of2013, seeds were harvested from a plurality of cultivated Eryngiumalpinum plants and were subsequently germinated and grown to a maturesize at a plant nursery in Noordwijkerhout, the Netherlands. A pluralityof seedlings from said cross were observed to exhibit precociousflowering and were isolated for further evaluation in order to assessother characteristics such as vigor and aesthetics. In the summer of2014, one seedling was observed to be superior to all otherearly-flowering seedlings.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘LEGMAVI’ was firstaccomplished in the autumn of 2014 by way of vegetative division at theinventor's plant nursery in Noordwijkerhout, the Netherlands and laterby way of meristematic tissue culture micro propagation. Sevensuccessive generations have shown that the unique features of theinstant cultivar are stable and reproduce true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘LEGMAVI’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions and the phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in the instant environment such as temperature, day length,and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. Thefollowing traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Eryngium cultivar, ‘LEGMAVI’.

-   -   1. Eryngium ‘LEGMAVI’ does not require vernalization to induce        flowering; and    -   2. Eryngium ‘LEGMAVI’ exhibits precocious flowering, blooming in        the first year after planting; and    -   3. Eryngium ‘LEGMAVI’ exhibits continuous flowering and a higher        yield of flowering stems in cut flower production; and    -   4. Eryngium ‘LEGMAVI’ exhibits cauline leaves nearest to the        involucre which are heavily suffused with violet-blue; and    -   5. Eryngium ‘LEGMAVI’ exhibits prominent involucres, with        vibrant violet-blue bracts, subtending each umbel; and    -   6. Eryngium ‘LEGMAVI’ exhibits capitular umbels with a dark blue        general coloration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical flowering stems ofthe new cultivar, ‘LEGMAVI’.

FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage of‘LEGMAVI’.

FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical inflorescence of‘LEGMAVI’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of Eryngium plant known as ‘LEGMAVI’, based upon observations of4-month-old plants grown in a sandy soil, outdoors, in Noordwijkerhout,the Netherlands. Plants were grown with full sun exposure, providedregular drip irrigation, and fertilized using fertigation techniqueswith an electroconductivity value of 1. Preventative fungicides wereutilized for the control and suppression of Alternaria sp. diseases.Observation data was recorded in August of 2022.

A botanical description of ‘LEGMAVI’ and comparisons with the parentsand most similar variety of common knowledge are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Upright hermicryptophyte perennial with            foliage borne in both a rosette and along the flowering            stems.        -   Plant profile.—Narrowly triangular.        -   Height.—52.3 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 62.0 cm to            the top of the floral plane.        -   Spread.—45.0 cm.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Propagation.—Method — Meristematic tissue culture. Time to            initiate rooting — Approximately 10 to 14 days at an average            ambient temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. Time to produce            flowering plant from rooted cutting — Approximately 4 months            in a 15 cm container.        -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Plants have not been            observed to be any more or less susceptible or resistant to            pathogens and pests known to affect Eryngium sp.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 6            to 10 and temperatures ranging from minus 18 degrees Celsius            to 35 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to rain; high            tolerance to wind.-   Root system:    -   -   Description.—Relatively deep taproot with a sparse network            of thick, fleshy roots.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Main stems arising directly from the            plant's base.        -   Attitude.—Upright and outward.        -   Aspect.—Rounded, with undeep axial ribs.        -   Length.—42.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.        -   Internode length.—5.1 cm, on average; varying between 0.5 cm            and 9 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Glabrous.        -   Luster.—Moderately glossy.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B; lightly            to very strongly suffused with greyed-purple, nearest to RHS            N186C.        -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B; lightly to            very strongly suffused with greyed-purple, nearest to RHS            N186B.        -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B;            lightly to very strongly suffused with greyed-purple,            nearest to RHS N186B.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Leaves are borne both basally and on the main            stems; basal leaf arrangement is alternate and leaves on            stems are arranged alternately as well.        -   Basal leaves.—Attachment — Petiolate. Division — Simple.            Leaf shape — Broad ovate; unlobed. Dimensions —11.3 cm long,            excluding the petiole, and 12.3 cm wide. Leaf attitude —            Outward and upward. Leaf apex — Abruptly acute. Leaf base —            Hastate; basal lobes free. Leaf margin — Dentate to serrate;            moderate undulation. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces —            Slightly coriaceous. Pubescence, adaxial surface — Glabrous.            Pubescence, abaxial surface — Glabrous. Luster, adaxial            surface — Slightly glossy. Luster, abaxial surface —            Slightly glossy. Color — Juvenile foliage color, adaxial            surface — Green, nearest to RHS 137B. Juvenile foliage            color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146A.            Mature leaf color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS            137B. Mature leaf color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to RHS 146A. Venation — Type — Lacinate. Vein color,            adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS            145B and 145C. Vein color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to RHS 148A. Petiole — Length — 3.5 cm. Diameter —            0.9 cm. Strength — Strong. Texture, adaxial and abaxial            surfaces — Smooth and glabrous. Luster, adaxial surface —            Very slightly glossy. Luster, abaxial surface — Moderately            glossy. Color, adaxial surface — Nearest to a mixture of            greyed-white and green-white, RHS 156B and 157A. Color,            abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS            145A, 145B, and 145C; greyed-red suffusion, nearest to RHS            182B, varies from not present on some petioles to very            prominent on others.        -   Cauline leaves.—Attachment — Petiolate. Division — Simple.            Leaf shape — Reniform to orbicular; deeply, pedately lobed.            Lobes — Depth of sinuses — Deep. Sinus orientation —            Divergent. Dimensions — 11.3 cm long, excluding the petiole,            and 12.3 cm wide. Leaf attitude — Leaves in an average angle            of 90 degrees to the stem. Leaf apex — Acute. Leaf base —            Truncate. Leaf margin — Serrate. Texture, adaxial and            abaxial surfaces — Slightly rugose; pubescent. Pubescence,            adaxial surface — Moderately covered with short hairs with            an average length of 0.2 mm; colored greyed-white, nearest            to RHS 156D. Pubescence, abaxial surface — Sparsely covered            with short hairs with an average length of 0.2 mm; colored            greyed-white, nearest to RHS 156D. Luster, adaxial surface —            Matte. Luster, abaxial surface — Slightly glossy. Color —            Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to            RHS NN137C; lightly suffused with violet-blue towards the            margin and apex, nearest to RHS N92D. Juvenile foliage            color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture            of RHS 144A and 144B; lightly suffused with violet towards            the margin and apex, nearest to RHS 88B. Mature leaf color,            adaxial surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS NN137A            and NN137B; suffused with violet-blue towards the margin and            apex, nearest to RHS N89D. Mature leaf color, abaxial            surface — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144A and            146B. Venation — Type — Palmate. Vein color, adaxial surface            — Greyed-white, nearest to RHS 156C, and fading to            violet-blue towards the lobe tips, nearest to a mixture of            RHS N89C and N89D. Vein color, abaxial surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 148A, and lightly suffused with            violet-blue, nearest to RHS N89C. Petiole — Length — 2.5 cm.            Diameter — 0.5 cm. Strength — Strong. Texture, adaxial and            abaxial surfaces — Smooth and glabrous. Luster, adaxial            surface — Very slightly glossy. Luster, abaxial surface —            Moderately glossy. Color, adaxial surface — Nearest to a            mixture of greyed-white and greyed-green, RHS 156B and 157A.            Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Habit.—Compound umbel; typically with 3 oblong, capitular            umbels which are each subtended by a prominent involucre.        -   Natural flowering season.—Mid-summer into autumn in the            Netherlands.        -   Time to flower or response time.—Approximately 8 months from            propagation, with recurrent flowering every 10 weeks during            the flowering season.        -   Overall height of the inflorescence.—12.9 cm, including the            involucre; 5.1 cm, excluding the involucre.        -   Overall width of the inflorescence.—16.0 cm, including the            involucre; 2.6 cm, excluding the involucre.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—480, on average.        -   Peduncles.—Length — Terminal peduncles are 11.4 cm on            average. Diameter — Average of 0.5 cm. Angle — Lateral            peduncles at an average angle of 50 degrees relative to the            stem. Strength — Strong. Texture — Smooth and glabrous, with            shallow ribs. Luster — Glossy. Color — Yellow-green, nearest            to a combination of RHS 145A and 145B; lightly to very            strongly suffused with violet-blue nearest to RHS 93A.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Length.—5.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—2.0 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Luster.—Matte. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D;            apex is violet-blue, RHS 96A, and suffused with            yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147A.-   Flower:    -   -   Shape, type.—Rotate, with a single whorl of petals; petals            are free.        -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.        -   Time to flower.—Approximately 8 months from propagation.        -   Flower longevity on plant.—Approximately ten days.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent.        -   Fragrance.—Non-fragrant.        -   Aspect.—Upright to outward.        -   Diameter.—4.0 mm.        -   Depth.—7.0 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity — 5. Arrangement — Rotate, with petals            arranged in a single whorl; petals are free. Shape — Narrow            obovate. Apex — Acute. Base — Narrow cuneate. Aspect —            Strongly recurved. Dimensions — 3.0 mm long and 0.8 mm wide,            as measured. Texture and luster, inner surface — Smooth,            glabrous, and very slightly glossy. Texture and luster,            outer surface — Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly glossy.            Margin — Entire; no undulation. Color when opening, inner            surface — Translucent white, nearest to RHS N155A. Main vein            is violet-blue, nearest to RHS 96B. Color when opening,            outer surface — Translucent white, nearest to RHS N155A.            Main vein is violet-blue, nearest to RHS 96B. Color when            fully opened, inner surface — Translucent greyed-white,            nearest to RHS 156D, yet slightly lighter. Main vein is            violet-blue, nearest to RHS 94C. Petals do not fade with            age. Color when fully opened, outer surface — Translucent            greyed-white, nearest to RHS 156D, yet slightly lighter.            Main vein is violet-blue, nearest to RHS 94C. Petals do not            fade with age.        -   Pedicels.—None. Flowers are sessile.        -   Calyx.—Shape — Rotate. Length — 0.4 cm. Diameter — 0.3 cm.            Sepals — Arrangement — Rotate; one whorl of sepals. Quantity            — 5 unfused sepals. Shape — Deltoid. Dimensions — 4.0 mm            long and 2.0 mm wide. Apex — Pungent. Base — Cuneate. Margin            — Entire; no undulation. Texture and luster, upper surface —            Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly glossy. Texture and            luster, lower surface — Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly            glossy. Color — When opening, upper surface — Violet-blue,            nearest to RHS 96A, and strongly suffused with yellow-green,            nearest to RHS 147D yet slightly darker. When opening, lower            surface — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS 96A, and moderately            suffused with yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147D yet slightly            darker. Fully opened, upper surface — Blue, nearest to RHS            103B, and moderately suffused with greyed-green, nearest to            RHS N189A. Fully opened, lower surface —Blue, nearest to RHS            103B, and lightly suffused with greyed-green, nearest to RHS            N189A. Venation — Fully opened, upper surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Fully opened, lower            surface — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 183B.        -   Floral bract.—Position — A single bract is present at the            base of each individual flower. Shape — Lanceolate. Length —            5.0 mm. Width — 0.5 mm. Apex — Narrow acuminate. Base —            Narrow cuneate. Margins — Entire; occasionally with a single            Color, adaxial surface — Blue, nearest to RHS 103D. Color,            abaxial surface — Blue, nearest to RHS 103D. Texture,            adaxial surface — Smooth; glabrous. Texture, abaxial surface            — Smooth; glabrous.        -   Involucre.—Position — A prominent involucre, with four            whorls of bracts, is present at the base of each corymb.            Quantity of bracts — Approximately 60. Shape — Obovate to            oblanceolate and lanceolate. Length — 7.6 cm, on average;            varying between 2.6 cm and 11.2 cm. Width — 2.8 cm, on            average; varying between 0.6 cm and 4.8 cm. Apex — Narrow            acuminate. Base — Cuneate. Margins — Serrate; deeply            incised. Color, adaxial surface — Violet-blue, nearest to a            mixture of RHS 90A and 90B; suffused with yellow-green,            nearest to a mixture of RHS 147B and 147D. Main vein is            violet-blue, nearest to RHS 90A yet darker. Color, abaxial            surface — Green, nearest to RHS 137C. Veined violet-blue,            nearest to RHS N92D. Texture, adaxial surface — Smooth;            glabrous. Texture, abaxial surface — Smooth; glabrous.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamens — Quantity — 5. Anthers — Attachment —            Dorsifixed. Shape — Oblong. Dimensions — 1.0 mm long and 0.5            mm wide. Color — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS N92A. Filaments            — Length — 2.0 mm. Color — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS N92A.            Amount of Pollen — Sparse. Pollen color — White, nearest to            RHS 155A.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil — Quantity — 2. Length — 4.0 mm. Style —            Length — 3.75 mm. Color — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS 94B,            and fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to RHS            145D. Stigma — Shape — Club-shaped. Diameter — 0.2 mm. Color            — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS 94B. Ovary Color —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D.-   Seed and fruit: No fruit or seeds have been observed to date.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LEGMAVI’ differ from its presumed parents,unnamed Eryngium alpinum plants (not patented) which typify the species,by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘LEGMAVI’ The presumed parents. VernalizationNone. Requires vernalization to requirement. induces growth of floweringstems. Bloom habit. Continuous flowering. Flowers once a season. Generalcoloration Green and heavily Green and lightly suffused of the caulineleaf suffused with with violet-blue. nearest to the violet-blue.involucre. General coloration Darker purple by Lighter purple by of theflower eye. comparison to the seed comparison to parent. ‘LEGMAVI’.Length of stems. Longer than the parent. Shorter than ‘LEGMAVI’. Generalcoloration A darker shade of blue A lighter shade of blue of the umbels.relative to the parent. relative to ‘LEGMAVI’.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMON KNOWLEDGE

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LEGMAVI’ may be distinguished from the mostsimilar known commercial comparator, Eryngium alpinum ‘Blue Star’ (notpatented), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘LEGMAVI’ ‘Blue Star’ Vernalization None.Requires vernalization requirement to induces growth of flowering stems.Bloom habit. Continuous flowering. Flowers once a season. Generalcoloration of Green and heavily Green and lightly the cauline leafnearest suffused with suffused with to the involucre. violet-blue.violet-blue. General coloration of Darker purple by Lighter purple bythe flower eye. comparison to the seed comparison to parent. ‘LEGMAVI’.Length of stems. Longer than ‘Blue Star’. Shorter than ‘LEGMAVI’.General coloration of A darker shade of blue A lighter shade of blue theumbels. relative to ‘Blue Star’. relative to ‘LEGMAVI’.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Eryngiumalpinum plant named ‘LEGMAVI’, substantially as described andillustrated herein.